The United States’ Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday faulted South Sudan’s leaders for undermining peace since the country became independent, and keeping it in a state of war.
Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, who made the remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on UNMISS, said the United States’ first priority in South Sudan is peace.
“However, South Sudan’s leaders have systematically undermined this goal since their independence in 2011 – they have repeatedly pushed the country back to the brink of war,” she stated. “Military operations across Greater Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile network provide stark evidence of South Sudan’s willful actions to move further from peace and stability.”
Amb. Locetta added that violence across these two regions has resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians; forced aid organizations to suspend their operations, and caused the immediate evacuation of UNMISS personnel – these actions directly obstruct UNMISS’s ability to protect civilians and catastrophically worsen a dire humanitarian emergency.”
“We strongly condemn South Sudan’s leaders’ actions and urge all parties to immediately cease offensive military operations, withdraw all forces, and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations,” she charged.
The envoy said that they are also concerned by the transitional government’s repeated unilateral amendments to the Revitalized Agreement.
“Any revisions to the agreement must be achieved through transparent, inclusive dialogue involving all signatories, rather than through unilateral action,” she said.
Amb. Locetta said the United States takes note of the UN’s February 3 White Note on South Sudan’s progress on UNMISS’s Contingency Plans.
“However, we urge Council members to continue pressuring the transitional government to lift all remaining impediments to UNMISS’s operations,” she stated. “We condemn the host country’s government’s interference, which has imposed unnecessary costs on UNMISS. These financial burdens – paid for by this international community – cannot go unaddressed,” she stressed. “South Sudan must be held financially accountable for these costs.”
Amb. Locetta reiterated that President [Donald] Trump has made clear that American engagement requires genuine partnership, not exploitation of our goodwill and resources.
“South Sudanese officials continue to fail to uphold basic commitments under the status of forces agreement and demand to close critical bases in Wau and Bentiu,” she said. “Our position is unequivocal: any further non-cooperation by South Sudan will constitute a threat to the Mission’s viability. This will be a decisive factor in our future decisions regarding assistance, diplomatic engagement, and the Mission’s future.”